Warhorse Studios released Kingdom Come: Deliverance on 13 February 2018, set in Bohemia in 1403 with no magic, no dragons and a map built from real places. You play Henry, a blacksmith's son from Skalitz, after Cuman raiders in Sigismund's pay burn the town and kill his parents. All 17 skills level only through use, and saving outside a bed normally costs a bottle of Saviour Schnapps.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swordsman | A | Balanced | Longsword | Yes |
| Archer | A | Balanced | Shortsword | Yes |
| Stealth Thief | A | Balanced | Mace | Yes |
| Diplomat | A | Balanced | Axe | Yes |
| Alchemist | A | Balanced | Bow | Yes |
New player? Start with Archer. See our beginner's guide for why.
Swordsman
Swordsman is a strong option in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Longsword |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Skills level only through use |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Longsword
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Rattay to learn Swordsman-specific mechanics
- Focus on Skills level only through use. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Longsword as your first major upgrade
- See our full Swordsman build guide for the optimal gear progression
Archer
Archer is a strong option in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Shortsword |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Combat rose and Master Strikes |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Shortsword
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Rattay to learn Archer-specific mechanics
- Focus on Combat rose and Master Strikes. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Shortsword as your first major upgrade
- See our full Archer build guide for the optimal gear progression
Stealth Thief
Stealth Thief is a strong option in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Mace |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Saviour Schnapps save system |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Mace
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Rattay to learn Stealth Thief-specific mechanics
- Focus on Saviour Schnapps save system. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Mace as your first major upgrade
- See our full Stealth Thief build guide for the optimal gear progression
Diplomat
Diplomat is a strong option in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Axe |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Hands on alchemy brewing |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Axe
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Rattay to learn Diplomat-specific mechanics
- Focus on Hands on alchemy brewing. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Axe as your first major upgrade
- See our full Diplomat build guide for the optimal gear progression
Alchemist
Alchemist is a strong option in Kingdom Come: Deliverance.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Bow |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Reputation, speech and charisma |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Bow
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Rattay to learn Alchemist-specific mechanics
- Focus on Reputation, speech and charisma. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Bow as your first major upgrade
- See our full Alchemist build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Archer is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
Swordsman is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Longsword for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Alchemist offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Diplomat shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Kingdom Come: Deliverance Guides
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Kingdom Come: Deliverance Overview
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Best Builds
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Tier List
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Walkthrough
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Beginner's Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Tips & Tricks
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Weapons Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Combat Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Boss Guide
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Maps & Locations
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance Crafting Guide
Similar Games
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- Cyberpunk 2077 Classes Guide: rpg game with similar mechanics
